The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has refuted claims of issuing a license to the gas filling plant implicated in the explosion incident in the Mradi area of Embakasi on Thursday night.
EPRA clarified, through an official statement, that it had rejected three applications for construction permits related to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plant. The rejection was based on the failure of the applicants to meet the necessary criteria for managing such a facility.
EPRA emphasized that the proposals were denied primarily due to the plant’s proximity to residential zones, which contravened established regulations.
The applications for construction permits were submitted on March 19, 2023, June 20, 2023, and July 31, 2023. EPRA underscored that all three applications were dismissed as they did not align with the prescribed criteria for establishing an LPG storage and filling plant in that specific area.
The regulatory authority specified that the rejection was primarily attributed to the non-compliance of the designs with the safety distances mandated by the Kenya Standard.
Moreover, EPRA mandated the plant owners to furnish a Qualitative Risk Assessment (QRA) that outlines potential radiation blast profiles in the event of an explosion. The QRA, utilizing computer simulations, elucidates the impact of a typical blast in terms of heat radiation and tremor/vibration, contributing to the evaluation of the safety of the surrounding areas.
EPRA revealed that the LPG plant failed to provide the requested QRA, indicating a further deviation from the regulatory guidelines. In response, EPRA outlined a series of measures, both short and medium-term, designed to enhance the safety of all LPG plants in the country.
These measures include conducting comprehensive technical audits of all licensed LPG plants to ensure a high safety integrity status concerning Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE).
The regulatory body underscored its commitment to taking administrative actions to revoke operating licenses for plants falling below the high safety integrity status.
Additionally, EPRA affirmed its dedication to surveillance and enforcement actions, which involve the demolition of illegal plants nationwide and the suppression of malpractice within the sector.
The explosion in Embakasi has garnered widespread attention, with three fatalities and 270 casualties reported. The public has raised concerns about the operational status of the gas filling plant, particularly its proximity to residential areas, prompting inquiries into the regulatory oversight and safety measures in place.
